Dwyane Wade believes that his name deserves to be mentioned in the MVP conservation thanks to a great individual season and the resurgence of the Heat.

"Where I came from last year, people were writing me off," Wade said of the 2007-08 season. "You've got some people who call it a two-man race, and you've got some people who say, 'Don't forget about D-Wade.'

"I'm just happy to be in the discussion. Coming from where I came from last year, my team winning 15 games to where we are now, it's a blessing."

Wade also seriously discussed how the MVP award should be handed out.

"Most Valuable player to his team, simple as that," he said. "I'm not taking anything from Kobe last year. I thought he was unbelievable. I thought he should have won MVPs in previous years. But I thought Chris Paul was the most valuable player to his team last year, from the way he played and what he meant to that team.

"You've got to take a guy off a team and say, 'If he wasn't on there, how would this team be?' and see everything he brings to his team. That's my interpretation of what a most valuable player is. But everyone has their different takes."

"You've got to take a guy off a team and say, 'If he wasn't on there, how would this team be?' and see everything he brings to his team. That's my interpretation of what a most valuable player is. But everyone has their different takes."